The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following a concerning outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has rapidly spread to neighboring countries. The declaration came after an emergency committee convened to assess whether the outbreak warranted the designation of a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), which is WHO’s highest alert level.
Rapid Spread and International Concerns
The outbreak in the DRC began with the spread of an endemic strain known as clade I. However, a newly identified variant, clade Ib, has raised alarms due to its increased transmissibility through close contact, including sexual contact. The virus, which causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, is usually mild but can be fatal in rare cases.
The spread of mpox from the DRC to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda has prompted WHO to take urgent action. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the necessity of a coordinated global response to contain the outbreak and protect lives. “It’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” Tedros stated.
WHO has already released $1.5 million in contingency funds to support the response and plans to release more in the coming days. The organization’s initial response plan requires $15 million, and WHO will be appealing to international donors for additional funding. The outbreak has drawn particular concern due to the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond, especially given the rapid transmission of the new variant.
Earlier this week, Africa’s top public health body also declared an mpox emergency for the continent, highlighting the alarming rate at which the virus is spreading. So far this year, more than 17,000 suspected cases and over 500 deaths have been reported, with children in the DRC being particularly affected.
Ongoing Challenges and Global Response
Despite the success of vaccines and behavior changes in curbing the spread of a different mpox strain in 2022, the current outbreak in the DRC presents new challenges. The WHO has acknowledged that more research is needed to fully understand the transmission routes of this new variant. Currently, no vaccines are available for this specific outbreak, although efforts are underway to develop and distribute them.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO’s mpox emergency committee, described the current surge in cases as an “extraordinary event” and emphasized the need for a robust international response. WHO has also appealed to countries with existing vaccine stockpiles to donate doses to help combat the outbreak.
The new strain’s spread to regions that had not previously reported mpox cases underscores the urgency of WHO’s declaration. The organization is working closely with local governments, Tribal Nations, and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and effective response.
As WHO and its partners mobilize resources and expertise to address this escalating public health crisis, the global community is once again reminded of the critical importance of vigilance, rapid response, and international cooperation in combating infectious diseases.
Source: ReutersÂ
